Apparatus for the continuous casting of metal rods



Sept. 9, 1952 I. ROSS! 2,609,574

APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS CASTING'OF METAL RODS Filed June 25, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 l. ROSSI INVENTOR ATTORNEY Sept. 9, 1952 APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS CASTING OF METAL RODS Filed June 25, 1949 Patented Sept. 9, 1952 APPARATUS FOR THE GONTINUGUS CAST- ING OF METAL RODS Irving'- itossi. Mo'rristown, N. J., assign'or i ioCon tinuous Metalcast-Cm,

Delaware 7 Incvya. corporation of Application-Tune 25, 1949, Serial No.- 101324 This invention relates to apparatus forthe continuous casting of metal rods, and pertains particularly to apparatus for the simultaneous casting of a plurality of such rods. As commonly understood'in the art, the term rod is used to designate an elongated shape of relatively small cross sectional area, usually circular.

Rods are usually formed by hot rolling processes, and while it has previously been proposed to cast metal rods continuously; the methods-and apparatus used heretofore have been inherently slow and expensive in operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus in which several rods may be cast simultaneously in a single operation, thereby reducing substantially the cost per unit. 7

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

A preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration is shown in the accompanying" drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a vertical section on the line l-l of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a section on the lineZ-Z of Fig ure 1. v

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fi ure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Figure'5 of a modified form of apparatus. I

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

According to the present invention a plurality of rods are cast simultaneously against the surface of a water-cooled shell which cooperates with the opposed surfaceof a mold block, the surface of the shell'and the opposed surface of the mold block having a plurality of pairs of opposed grooves formed therein which define a plurality of mold passages in which rods may be cast. In casting, all of the heat which is withdrawn from the molten metal to cause solidification thereof is withdrawn through the water cooled shell. The opposed surfaces of the mold' block are maintained at a temperature such as to prevent anysubstantial withdrawal of heatrtherethrough. Hence, as the rods are formed, crystal growth proceeds outwardly' from the chilled shell surfaces toward the opposed mold block surfaces which limit the crystal growth and smooth the rod surfaces on that side. v

In casting, the solidified rods are withdrawn continuouslyfrom the mold passages and a pool of molten metal is maintained in the mold block from which molten metal flows into passages as the solidified rods are withdrawn.

'9 Claims. (o1. 22-572) the n old Whilebasting is proceeding, theshell may be reciprocated in accordance with the teaching of Junghans Patent No. 2,135,183. That is, the shell which provides the cooling surface and which, therefore, corresponds to the chilled mold of the Junghans patent, would be reciprocat'ed, moving downwardly with the rods at the same rate at which the rods are being withdrawn, and moving upwardly at a more rapid rate.

Referring to the drawings, one form of apparatus comprises a mold block I of any suitable refractory material, said block having a cavity 2 in its upper portion serving as a reservoir in which a pool of molten metal may be maintained, such molten metal'being' supplied continuously from a suitable holding furnace (not shown).

Extending downwardly through the mold block I is a vertical passage adapted to receive the water cooled shell 3 which extends through the passage and preferably projects a short distance below the bottom of the mold block. The interior surface of the mold block passage is preferablylined with a metal liner 4, and is provided with a plurality of spaced vertical grooves 5. The exterior surface of the shell is provided with an equal number of opposed and similarly spaced vertical grooves 6 which cooperate with the grooves 5 to form a plurality of vertical rod shaped mold passages in which rods may be cast.

The interior of the shell is filled with cooling water which may be circulated therein in any desired manner. Preferably the shell is provided with an interior tubular baffie 'l and is provided with suitable water supply connections so that the incoming cold water moves downwardly throughthe tubular baffie and moves upwardly through the narrow passage between the. baffle and the shell as indicated by the arrows. V

In order to prevent freezing of molten metal against the ungrooved portions of the walls of the water cooled shell 3 at levels above the floor of the cavity 2, the shell is surrounded by a protective baffie 8 of v suitable refractory material which said baffle rests on the floor of the cavity 2. Said bafile, here in the form of a sleeve, is provided with channels 9, aligned with the moldpassages, which permit the molten metal to flow into said passages. The said sleeve may also be provided with spaced grooves ill, opposed to the grooves 6 of the shell, and a series of rods I 1, preferably of graphite, may be inserted in the passages formed by the grooves 6 and IE to prevent the molten metal from entering the grooves 6 above the channels 9 and freezingtherein. Said rods ll may be adjustable vertically, if desired,

sage, the only chilled surface is that provided by the grooves 6, the surfaces of the grooves" being kept hot by the pool of molten metal. many cases, as when the refractory material used in the mold block is a highly non-conductive-material such as zirconia, the heat insulation provided by the mold block itself may be su'ificient I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for the continuous casting of metal rods, comprising, a mold block having a cavity therein forming a reservoir for molten metal, said mold block having a wall provided with a plurality of spaced grooves in its surface,

. a watercooledshell having achilled wall in abutting contact with said mold block wall and extending above the floor of said cavity, said chilled wall being provided with a plurality of spaced grooves in its surface opposed to the grooves in the. mold wall and forming therewith a plurality of mold passages communicating with said cavto prevent appreciable withdrawal of heat through the grooves 5. It is always important,

.ity, and a baille extending upwardly from the hour of said. cavity and in abutting contact with all portions of said chilled wall except the grooves thereof and separating such portions from contact with the molten metal in said cavity.

however, to keep the walls of the grooves -5 at ar ture approximating the meltin point of the metal v being cast. I

As a result, crystal growth proceeds from the chilled walls of the grooves 6 toward the walls of the grooves 5, and proceeds until the crystals engage the walls of grooves 5;; j The movement of v the rods, as theyare withdrawn continuously,

causes the forming crystals to be smoothed :by

the walls of the groove 5 as final solidification takes place. 7 w

A modified form of apparatus, embodyin -and utilizing the sameprinciples is illustrated in Fig- 'ures 4 and 5. In this form, the-mold block '21 has a cavity 22 which is open at one side. The face of the mold block on that side 'is in abutting contact with achilled surface of the water cooled shell 23, which said shell may be r'eciprocated in the manner previously describedas, asting proceeds. The face of the mold block is provided with spaced vertical grooves '25 and the shell is provided with an equal'num ber of opposed and similarly spaced vertical grooves 25 which cooperate with the grooves 25 to form mold passages in which rods may be cast. I

In the modified form the grooves 25 are lined with strips 24 having suitable electrical connections 32, 32' as previously described, in order that the said strips may be heated, if necessary, to prevent appreciable withdrawal of heat.

In the modified form, a protective balile is also provided to prevent freezing of molten metal against the ungrooved portions of the chilled wall of the shell 23. Thus, the refractory baflie 28, resting on the floor of the cavity, extends across the cavity to form a dam which separates the chilled wall from contact with molten metal, but this bailie is provided with channels- 29, aligned with the mold passages which permit molten metal to flow into the mold passages.

As before, the bafiie may be provided with spaced grooves 30, opposed to the grooves 26, and graphite rods 3| may be inserted for the purposes previouslydescribed.

It will be understood thatthe invention may be variously modified and embodied within the scope of the subioined claims.

2. Apparatus for the continuous casting of metal rods, comprising, a mold block having a ,cavity thereiniorming a reservoir for molten .metaLjgsaidfmoldblock having a wall provided witha'plurality of spaced grooves in its surface, a water cooled'shell having a chilled wall in abutting contact with said mold block wall and ext'endingabove the floor of said cavity, saidichilled wall'being' provided with a plurality of spaced grooves inits surface opposed to the grooves in thel moldwall and forming therewith a plurality of mold passages communicating with said cavity, and a baffle in said cavity extending upwardly from the floor thereof in abutting contact with thechilled wall of said shell, said baflle being 'provided'with slots aligned with said mold passages for permitting molten metal to flow into said mold passages, the remainder of the chilled wall of said shell being separated from the molten metal in said cavity by said baflle.

3. Apparatus for the continuous casting of metalrods, comprising, a mold block having a cavity therein forming a reservoir for molten metal, said mold block having a wall provided with a plurality of spaced grooves in its surface,

a water cooled shell having a chilled wall in abutting contact with said mold block wall and extending above the floor of said cavity, said chilled wall being provided with a plurality of spaced grooves in its surface opposed to the grooves in the mold wall and forming therewith a plurality of mold passages communicating with said cavity, a baflle in said cavity extending upwardly from the floor thereof in abutting contact with the chilled wall of said shell, said baille being provided with slots aligned with said mold passages .for permitting molten metal to flow into said mold passages, the remainder of the chilled wall of said shell being separated from the molten metal in said cavity by said baflie, said baffle being provided with a plurality of spaced grooves opposed to the grooves in said chilled wall, and an'adjustable rod in each of the passages formed by said grooves. i

- 4.'Apparatus for the continuous casting of metal rods, comprising, a mold block having a cavity therein forming a reservoirv for molten metal, saidmold block having a wall provided with a plurality of spaced grooves in its surface, a watercooled shell having a chilled wall in abutting contact with said mold block wall and ex tending above the floor of said cavity, said chilled wall being provided with a pluralityof spaced grooves in its surface opposed to the grooves in the mold wall and forming therewith a plurality of mold passages communicating with said cavityfa'baiile extending upwardly from the floorof thereof and separating such portions from contact with the molten metal in said cavity, and a heating element mounted in said mold block and extending along said mold block grooves and adapted to heat the walls of said mold block grooves to prevent appreciable withdrawal of heat therethrough from the metal being cast.

5. Apparatus for the continuous casing of metal rods, comprising, a mold block having a cavity therein forming a reservoir for molten metal, said mold block having a wall provided with a plurality of spaced grooves in its surface, a water cooled shell having a chilled wall in abutting contact with said mold block wall and extending above the floor of said cavity, said chilled wall being provided with a plurality of spaced grooves in its surface opposed to the grooves in the mold wall and forming therewith a plurality of mold passages communicating with said cavity, and a heating element mounted in said mold block and extending along said mold block grooves and adapted to heat the walls of said mold block grooves to prevent appreciable withdrawal of heat therethrough from the metal being cast.

6. Apparatus for the continuous casting of metal rods, comprising, a mold block having a cavity therein forming a reservoir for molten metal and having a passage extending through said mold block from said cavity to the outside, a water-cooled shell extending into said passage,

the wall of said passage being provided with a plurality of spaced grooves and the wall of said shell being provided with a plurality of opposed spaced grooves forming a plurality of mold passages, the wall of said shell being in contact with the wall of said passage except where interrupted by said grooves, and a baffle extending upwardly from the floor of said cavity and in abutting contact with all portions of the wall of said shell except the grooves thereof and separating such portions from contact with the molten metal in said cavity.

7. Apparatus for the continuous casting of metal rods, comprising, a mold block having a cavity therein forming a reservoir for molten metal and having a passage extending through said mold block from said cavity to the outside, a water-cooled shell extending through said passage, the wall of said passage being provided with a plurality of spaced grooves and the wall of said shell being provided with a plurality of opposed spaced grooves forming a plurality of mold passages, the wall of said shell being in contact with the wall of said passage except where interrupted by said grooves, and a protective sleeve surrounding said shell above the floor of said cavity, said sleeve being in abutting contact with the wall of 6 said shell and provided with slots aligned with said mold passages for permitting molten metal to flow into said mold passages, the remainder of the wall of said shell being separated from the molten metal in said cavity by said sleeve.

8. Apparatus for the continuous casting of metal rods, comprising, a mold block having a cavity therein forming a reservoir for molten metal and having a passage extending through said mold block from said cavity to the outside, a water-cooled shell extending into said passage, the wall of said passage being provided with a plurality of spaced grooves and the wall of saidshell being provided with a plurality of opposed spaced grooves forming a plurality of mold passages, the wall of said shell being in contact with the wall of said passage except where interrupted by said grooves, and a protective sleeve surrounding said shell above the floor of said cavity, said sleeve being in abutting contact with the wall oi said shell and provided with slots aligned with said mold passages for permitting molten metal to flow into said mold passages, the remainder of the wall of said shell being separated from the molten metal in said cavity by said sleeve, the wall of said sleeve being provided with a plurality of spaced grooves opposed to the grooves of said shell, and an adjustable rod in each of the passages formed by said grooves.

9. Apparatus for the continuous casting of metal rods, comprising, a mold block having a cavity therein forming a reservoir for molten metal and having a passage extending through said mold block from said cavity to the outside, a water-cooled shell extending into said passage, the wall of said passage being provided with a plurality of spaced grooves and the wall of said shell being provided with a plurality of opposed spaced grooves forming a plurality of mold passages, the wall of said shell being in contact with the wall of said passage except where interrupted by said grooves, and a heating element mounted in said mold block and extending along said mold block grooves and adapted to heat the walls of said mold passages to a temperature sufiicient to prevent appreciable withdrawal of heat therethrough from the metal being cast.

IRVING ROSSI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,548,618 Lane Aug. 4, 1925 2,130,202 Tama Sept. 13, 1938 2,225,415 Junghans Dec. 17, 1940 2,473,221 Rossi June 14, 1949 

